Woman ID’d in Worcester accident

Sunday

Oct 28, 2012 at 6:00 AM

By Elaine Thompson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Police have identified the woman who was struck by a sport utility vehicle while crossing Park Avenue near the Price Chopper supermarket about 8 Friday night as a 20-year-old from Northboro. Her name has not been released.

Police said the woman, who suffered a serious head injury, was taken to a nearby hospital, where she is in critical condition.

The woman was struck by a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, traveling close to the center line and driven by a 29-year-old Worcester resident. Police said the driver stayed at the scene and gave officers a statement.

Witnesses said the impact sent the woman tumbling into the air.

Jose Rodriguez of Leominster, a nurse, said he was driving north on Park Avenue toward Institute Park when the silver SUV came speeding around his car from behind and hit the woman as she was crossing Park Avenue toward the supermarket.

Mr. Rodriguez said the SUV was moving erratically through traffic. He said the woman landed face-down on the pavement. Mr. Rodriguez said he went to the victim’s side while awaiting the ambulance.

“I checked her pulse, and it was fading. She was convulsing, unresponsive. She was bleeding from her ears, nose and mouth,” Mr. Rodriguez said.

Police blocked off the left lane of Park Avenue along the grocery store parking lot while they investigated the accident and spoke to witnesses. Investigators will inspect the Mountaineer for mechanical deficiencies and process data from the vehicle’s black box.